Washing machine



Jan. 10, 1933. M, Km 1,894,178

WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 8, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JIMIIQVZ WNVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 10, 1933 PATENT OFFICE SARA M. KITTS,

or LIMA, OHIO WASHING MACHINE Application filed September 8, 1931.

The invention relates to a washing machine and more especially to driving mechanism for the agitator of washing machines.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character wherein an agitator is disposed therein and operated so as to lift clothes and agitate the same during the lifting thereof for the thorough Washing of said clothes, the mechamsm for operating the agitator being of novel form and assembled in a unique manner.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character wherein the clothes will be thoroughly agitated for the cleaning thereof during the washing period, the agitator being operated continuously as the same will be reciprocated vertically and also rotated on its axis.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character which is extremely simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and eflicient in its operation, strong, durable and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying draw ings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of the eccentric operating the agitator of the machine. I

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A designates generally the cylindrical body of the washing machine resting at its bottom 10 upon uprights 11 constituting legs and these uprights being suitably secured to the body Serial No. 561,744.

and form a stand, the bottom being formed with a countersunk centrally thereof to provide a pocket 12 for an agitator 13, the latter being of substantially bell shape with a central hollow column 14 merging into a lower skirt portion 15 and said agitator 13 is carried upon a reciprocating staff or shaft 16 vertically movable in the body A through the lower end of the pocket 12 in the bottom 10 thereof.

Secured to the lower end of the pocket 12 and surrounding the staff or shaft 16 is an inner feed spiral in the form of a stationary post 17 having the external female spiral 18 therein with which meshes the male spiral 19 of the outer tubular feed member 20, the same being engaged upon the staff or shaft 16 and telescoped over the post 17 so that on the Vertical shifting of said post or staff 16 the meshing spiral members 17 and 20 will impart rotation to the agitator 13 and the latter being carried by the said staff or shaft 16 will move up and down during rotation within the body A and in the down movement it comes within the pocket 12 and on 75 ,upward movement rises out of the same.

Suitably journaled on the stand in bearings 21 is a horizontally disposed driven shaft 22 carrymg a cam 23 about which is engaged a pair of spaced eccentrics 24, these being formed with extensions 25 detachably coupled at 26 to the outer ends of a crosshead 27. The crosshead 27 carries a center bearmg 28 1n which is rotatably connected at 29 the lower end of the staff or shaft 16 so that when the cam 23 is rotated the said staff or shaft 16 will be reciprocated through the post 17 and the spiral feed connection of the latter through the member 20 rotates the agitator 13, .while the shaft or staff 16 reciprocates the same during its rotation.

Stationarily mounted in the stand upon onev upright 11 thereof is an electric driving motor 30, the power shaft 31 of which carries a worm screw 32 meshing with a worm gear 33 fixed to the shaft 22 and this motor 30 in its operation transmits motion to the shaft- 22 for the rotation thereof.

The agitator 13 at the crown portion 3?,

thereof is formed with diametrically opwith the column of sai posed upstanding fins 34 externally thereof and these serve to gri the clothes during the washing period. T e raising and lowering of the 'tator 13 will raise and lower the clothes within the body A as will be ap- Egrent so that in this manner the clothes W111 thoroughly agitated both in a rotary pat and also in a vertical direction.

What is claimed is In a washing machine, an agitator hav-' ing a central vertical hollow column, a post stationaril mounted and aligned with said column an havin an external female spiral, a shaft journaled in said 0st and connected a 'tator, a male spiral connected with the s aft and telescopicall fitted with the female spiral, eccentrical y operated means having connection with the shaft to impart movement thereto, means forming a swiveled union between the last named means and said shaft, and an enclosure for said spirals secured to the post and fitted in the vertical column of the agitator.

In testimony whereof raflix my signature.

SARA M. KITTS. 

